Arsenal Transfer Opinion: Arsene Wenger Must Buy a Natural Playmaker in January

Arsenal have to sign a playmaker in the January transfer window. The Gunners need to spend big and land a player with the quality of Mario Gotze. 

Recent results have shown that this particular version of Arsenal is missing the flair and creativity usually found in Arsene Wenger's teams.

Yesterday's hugely disappointing stalemate at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers highlighted a growing problem for Arsenal.

There is a distinct absence of craftiness and inventiveness in the forward areas. The Gunners are finding it increasingly difficult to break down defensive-minded opposition.

Home draws against Wolves and Fulham revealed that Arsenal lack a player capable of providing that elusive extra moment or two of quality that is necessary to get behind a tight defense.

The Gunners have been scraping for most of their victories in the last three months. Newfound resiliency and determination, along with a more direct style based on straight-line pace, have characterised Arsenal's play.

But as the games mount, the effects of the loss of Cesc Fabregas are beginning to be felt more and more.

Fabregas was always the player who could spot a decisive pass. His vision and guile made him a natural creative hub in Wenger's fluid and intricate passing philosophy. Fabregas was routinely able to turn prolonged passages of neat and tidy passing into a goal-scoring opportunity.

In an instant, the Spaniard would end a series of short passes by threading perfectly through a ball or over the top of a defense.

This is the quality Arsenal desperately need back. They must be able to carve out more clean and clear-cut scoring chances.

Just as important is the goals from midfield tally. Nobody is emerging as the same kind of threat in and around the box that Fabregas managed to be.

Aaron Ramsey has tried hard, but given the amount of time he spends in forward areas, his goal-scoring potential should be greater. Ramsey needs more time, but this is time the Gunners don't have. Never before has the club's top-four status looked so precarious.

Arsenal must marry their tremendous commitment and effort with a higher level of quality and creativity.

Jack Wilshere's return will certainly help, but it is too much to expect him to have the necessary impact after such a lengthy injury.

Adding some true playmaking invention to the team could be the catalyst to propel Arsenal back into the Champions League places.

Arsenal should spend the money in January to ensure that their ranks are boosted by a player of high class and technique.

Given what is at stake, it could be the best investment Wenger ever makes.